Environmental and Political Implications
Over 120,000 cubic yards (92,000 m³) of sediment from the landslide each year is deposited into Swift Creek. Due to the large amount of sediment being deposited in the creek, dredging was undertaken to prevent the creek from flowing over roads and flooding houses. The sediment collected by dredging the creek was given away free to use for projects such as building housing foundations or to be used as fill. In 2006, EPA samples indicated that the dredged material contains chrysotile asbestos at up to 4%, with an average of 1.7%. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commented on the application for a dredge permit, recommending that because of the potential health risks, dredged material at the site no longer be removed as it had been in the past, and that community education be continued to help prevent or minimize ongoing exposures to residents. Previously dredged materials remaining alongside the creek banks were sprayed with an EPA approved "tackifier" (tinted green) to keep asbestos from blowing off the surface.
There is a growing rift between the government and the people who live near Swift Creek. Soon, the sediment will build up enough causing the river to flood and destroy neighboring roads and properties, but because of the environmental and health risks that the EPA decided would be caused by this asbestos, nothing can be done to stop the flooding, without incurring the cost of safely handling, moving, and storing the material.
Agencies at the local, state, regional and federal level are working together to address the situation, communicating with the public about the health risks while seeking funds and authorities for interim approaches. Naturally occurring asbestos is found in other communities across the United States, and in some counties in California and Virginia is factored into land use planning and permitting. The Sumas Mountain landslide, with the sedimentation and flooding issues combined with the mobility of the asbestos adds to the challenges to this site.
Read more about this topic: Swift Creek Landslide
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